A Companion to the Theology of John Webster

by R. Michael Allen (Editor), R. David Nelson (Editor), Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Foreword)

An overview and analysis of John Webster’s seminal contributions to Christian theology 

At the time of his death, John Webster was widely hailed as one of the leading Christian theologians in the world. Over the course of three decades, he produced groundbreaking studies on the theologies of Eberhard Jüngel and Karl Barth and, especially since the turn of the millennium, numerous books and essays on various themes in Christian dogmatics. He then intended to write an encyclopedic systematic theology—a project he was unable to complete.

No substitute is possible for that lost opus, but the contributors offer this volume as an homage to Webster and an aid to those who want to learn from him. A Companion to the Theology of John Webster begins with an introductory section on Webster’s theological development, then continues into an extensive overview of Webster’s contributions to contemporary discussions of particular doctrines. An epilogue suggests how Webster’s theology might have unfolded had he lived longer and imagines the continuing influence of his work on the enterprise of Christian dogmatics. Readers hoping to understand the legacy of this great theologian, and also those eager for fresh insights into the present state and future trajectories of contemporary Protestantism, will find much to offer here.

366 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2021

About the author

R. Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is Kennedy Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is the author of several books.

Reviews

[Christian Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember the first time I read Webster’s article “Life in and of Himself.” Webster astounded me with his dogmatic clarity and focus on what it means that God has life fully and bestows that life to us. He truly was one the most remarkable theologians of the past 50 years. This volume is an excellent guide to his work. Some articles are better than others (Sanders, Allen, Sonderegger, Mangina, Wittman, and Nimmo are superb). And due in small part to Webster’s relatively small body of work, the articles can often be repetitive making it hard to work through the thing in entirety. However as a guide to a particular loci within Webster or even just thinking how to approach that loci in general, it is a great tool.

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb volume. Truly, this is an important work and, above all, a beautiful love letter to a beloved theologian.

Some essays stood out more than others (Levering on Webster's theological exegesis, Sander's on the Trinity, Allen's on Reason and Anthropology, Sonderegger's on Christ, and Wittman on Metaphysics), but, honestly, all of the essays were of seriously impressive quality. If you're interested in better understanding one of the most brilliant theologians of our day, you should pick this book up.

It's tragic that we won't be able to read his planned 5-volume Systematic Theology, though I suspect Webster is too busy enjoying the One he dearly loved to lament with us.

"Webster's modesty, his disciplined submission of his exceptional intellectual powers to theology's calling, and--above all--his sheer delight in the God who thus announces himself in the gospel remain an enduring inspiration. If gratitude is indeed fundamental to faithful existence in the order of divine love, we should give thanks to God for him" (18).

[Matthew McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful introduction and overview to Webster’s theology. The essays I found most helpful for my particular purposes were Ivor J. Davidson’s on John Webster’s life and development of thought, Matthew Levering’s on “Webster’s Theological Exegesis of Christian Scripture,” Darren Sarisky’s on “Scripture,” Fred Sanders’ on “The Triune God,” Joseph L. Mangina’s on “The Church,” and Paul Nimmo’s on “Ethics.”